Pam Cronrath creates life-size hologram of late husband for memorial service
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Apr 25
Pam Cronrath creates life-size hologram of late husband for memorial service
5 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 25
Pam, 78, from Wenatchee, Washington, worked with Proto Hologram and Hyperreal to present Bill’s hologram to 200 attendees, spending up to $30,000 on the project.
The hologram delivered a scripted speech and participated in a staged Q&A, impressing family and guests with its realism, though the voice was slightly imperfect.
Experts highlight ethical concerns about grief technology, including consent and commercialization, but Pam emphasizes the project honored Bill’s memory and brought comfort to her and their family.
Does a digital ghost truly help us grieve, or does it trap us in the past?
When AI can resurrect the dead, who owns their digital soul?
If an AI says something your loved one never would, is the memory tainted forever?
Should the deceased have the legal right to remain silent in our digital world?
Will future generations consult AI ancestors instead of history books?
The First Interactive AI Hologram Memorial: Bill Cronrath’s 2025 "Super Wake" and Its Ethical Challenges
Overview
In 2025, Bill Cronrath's memorial in Wenatchee, Washington, featured a groundbreaking life-size interactive hologram that deeply moved 200 attendees. This AI-powered hologram, created by Proto Hologram using Bill's personal data and refined with his wife Pam's input, allowed a live question-and-answer session, offering unique comfort and connection. Despite its $20,000-$30,000 cost and ethical concerns about consent and authenticity, the technology provided Pam ongoing solace. While technological advances may reduce costs, societal and ethical challenges suggest such interactive holographic memorials will remain a niche option, valued for their ability to celebrate life but balanced against psychological and moral considerations.